Michelle Ptacek

The Online Educator

Michelle has worked with over one thousand students worldwide and provided consulting for clients from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia. Closer to home, her primary focus is facilitating M-F online homerooms for Davidson Young Scholars in the US and Canada.

Using research from her master’s thesis focused on bibliotherapy and the empathizing-systemizing theory of the brain, Michelle also teaches a variety of 1:1 lessons with a focus not only on the acquisition of skills, but also on creative thinking and social-emotional learning.

Michelle Ptacek

The Presenter

From scholars online to gatherings at professional organizations, Michelle brings useful ideas from the world of gifted education to the broader public. Likewise, she connects the study of expertise and concepts from organizational psychology to the practice of gifted education.

Before expanding online, Michelle offered workshops on Dabrowski’s theory of personality development and the human drive to systemize at the ITAG conference in Des Moines, Iowa. She has a B.A. in special education, M.A in gifted education, and is working on her doctorate.

Michelle Ptacek stands on a stage, playing an acoustic guitar with a microphone. Behind her is a large projection screen displaying a vintage illustration of six individuals.

Michelle Ptacek's

Keynote Concerts

Michelle explores the history of creativity and the history of cognitive diversity using biographies fused with music and storytelling. She specializes in taking true stories from the past and presenting them in an engaging way with folk music. During these keynote concerts, she discusses key topics related to her research and workshops.

What is cognitive diversity?

Cognitive diversity is an area of psychological research addressing the different ways people think, process information, and make decisions. Research shows an environment that appreciates a variety of unique perspectives is more likely to solve complex problems, spot new opportunities, and be innovative. In addition, a person who understands their own unique strengths and areas of need is more likely to develop a healthy self-concept.

Improved performance. Improved decision making. Greater adaptability. Enhanced creativity.

From the Blog

Subscribe to the blog for interesting information about cognitive diversity from Michelle’s research and classes.

10 Drawing Exercises For Enhanced Creative Thinking

Posted in Creative Thinking

“Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, and thinking what no one else has thought.”- Einstein “Creativity is just connecting things.” – Steve Jobs Drawing can be …

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Focusing Curiosity and Creativity

Posted in Creative Thinking, Executive Functioning

Guiding Question: Sometimes my ideas and random connections move really fast. Before I can fully flesh one out, I’m on to the next one. Other times, I am …

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